Citizenship Booklet Highlights Partnership Between Local And Central Government

Working with local authorities to organise successful citizenship ceremonies for local communities is the subject of the handbook launched today titled ‘New Zealand Citizenship Ceremonies: A Handbook for Local Government’.

Annette Offenberger, General Manager, Identity Services for the Department of Internal Affairs, says the booklet represents more than just a blueprint for citizenship ceremonies. “It highlights the important partnership Internal Affairs is forging with Local Government New Zealand in running successful citizenship ceremonies. We are committed to ensuring that the ceremony provides a positive experience for new citizens, but equally for the local community who get the opportunity to formally welcome new kiwi citizens into the fold.

Local Government New Zealand says the booklet will provide councils with a useful guide for conducting ceremonies.

“The nature and size of ceremonies can vary but the underlying principles remain the same. We endorse this booklet as the tool that will ensure every local authority knows what to do when organising ceremonies for its communities’ new kiwis,” says Basil Morrison, President of Local Government New Zealand.

The booklet outlines useful information about the citizenship process including the requirements for New Zealand citizenship, the essential elements of a citizenship ceremony and the roles of the Department of Internal Affairs and individual local authorities in organising the ceremony.

Attending a citizenship ceremony and taking the oath of allegiance is a requirement for all new citizens. The citizenship ceremony is the forum where this takes place.

“Copies of the booklet will be issued to every local authority in the country alongside a CD containing Maori and English versions of the national anthem which underlines a commitment to raising awareness of the partnership between Maori and the Crown under the Treaty of Waitangi,” says Annette Offenberger.

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